Course In Production

Roma Film Academy

Course In Production

The Production course is a two-year course and covers all the industrial and business topics related to the production department. The course typically requires around 950 hours, varying according to the expected production.

I Year

The course covers all industrial and business topics related to production. In the first year, we focus on the technical aspects of the composition of the department for the set, or we learn the tasks and tools for security on the set and the regulations in force, we study the role of 'Assistant Director (in the US sense), of the Edition Secretary, of the Location Scout and Manager. In addition to the management of the set and the troupe, the training includes the study of Budget, the Spoglio of Screenplays with Movie Magic, as well as the rudiments of the organization of executive production to introduce the program of the second year.

II Year

In the second year, the topics of Production Organizer, Production Inspector, Line-Producer for Post-Production, Executive Producer, Distributor, Fund Raiser, Copyright Management and Music Supervisor are discussed. The main modules addressed will, therefore, revolve around: accounting for the set, taxation, specific contracts of different production fields, financial management through budgeting, tax credit, product placement, procurement of public and private funds, marketing and distribution for national and international co-productions. In the second year of the course, students have the opportunity to experience directly through targeted internships provided by the school with industrial partners. The selection is based on merit and academic performance.

Prerequisites

Full age

High school diploma or equivalent

Residence permit (for foreign students only)

Knowledge of the Italian language - Excellent

Cinema/television culture - Good

Knowledge of Word and Excel - Basic

Knowledge of English - Basic

Ability to work in a team - Excellent

Job opportunities

The job opportunities related to this course are:

Production assistant,

Production Secretary,

General Organizer,

Production Inspector,

Secretary of Edition,

Location Scout and Manager,

Fund Raiser,

Bandi Compiler,

Music Supervisor.

Product material

Students of the Academic Production course, except for the exclusion of some students for possible absences or disciplinary reasons, will find themselves at the end of the course to have a personal Portfolio of 4/6 annual audiovisual products created during the monthly exercises.

These productions will include, among others, the pursuit, the sequence plan, the combat, the music video clip, the comedy and the science fiction on green screen.

The Essay Study of the end of the year, of maximum 6 minutes, and the Diploma Short Film of the end of the second year, of maximum 12 minutes, will always be a part of the students' portfolio of the course according to the productions in which they will participate.

At the end of the course, the exam is required, which is essential for the approval of the production of the Diploma Short Film.

Language

The course is in Italian but some modules and/or lessons will be held in English.

Practical activities

The course includes literacy lessons on the didactic unit object of the exercise of the month; on-set exercises and weekends; lessons of vision and criticism exercises.

FAQ

Lessons and attendance

When do the courses start and when do they end?

RFA courses start in October and end in May; from June to July the productions of the end of the year are held in which all the students divided by troupe have to participate.

Is course attendance mandatory?

Yes. RFA courses are mandatory every day. The frequent attendance is a fundamental parameter that helps the Academy select and identify the most deserving students.

Will I have practical lessons during the course?

Yup. The Roma Film Academy aims to train students in two steps: literacy and technique in the first year, genres, and language in the second. The training method is mainly based on the practical application of the technical and theoretical concepts through set lessons, monthly exercises, study essays, and diploma shorts.

When are the lessons being held?

Classes are held from Monday to Friday with at least one session per day, up to two daily shifts, and one weekend per month of production. The lessons can be scheduled from 9.30 to 18.30, the monthly productions on the set provide different times and durations, reported from time to time on educational calendars.

Where are the lessons being held?

Classes are being held in Cinecittà Studios classrooms and the Teatro Della Posa of the Roma Film Academy. Specific lessons take place directly at the offices of partners affiliated with the school. Finally, the monthly and year-end didactic productions take place at the locations identified by the students from time to time based on the type of project.

In which language are the courses held?

The academic courses are held in Italian, so foreign students are required to have a basic level knowledge of Italian. All students are required to have basic English knowledge, as some modules lessons are in English.

Can I attend several courses at the same time?

No. The two-year course of the Rome Film Academy requires a significant number of hours dedicated to interdisciplinary lessons or joint classes, in which two or more courses work together. In addition, some days involve double shifts of classes, so it is not possible to attend two courses at the same time.

Can I change courses?

Yup. The first four weeks of the course are called preparatory: it is necessary to attend the lessons of all first-year RFA academic courses. This period is dedicated to general literacy on departments, technical equipment, and hierarchies, and is meant to provide some clarity for those who are undecided about which course should they choose. At the end of the introductory course, it is, therefore, possible to change course.

Are there any exams, tests or checks during the year?

Yup. Exams and tests are periodically carried out. Together with the monthly exercises, the essays at the end of the first year and the disciplinary parameters, they are the main aspects that form the academic judgment, useful for admission to the second year of the course. Moreover, at the end of the second year, a final examination session is scheduled, which determines the approval of the short film diploma.

Admission

What are the basic requirements to register for one of these courses?

The basic requirements for all academic courses are the age of majority, a high school diploma, excellent command and knowledge of the Italian language, a good knowledge of the cinematographic culture and a basic knowledge of English.

How are the requirements indicated for each course assessed?

The requirements are assessed during the entry test, which serves to determine the starting level of each candidate. However, the School reserves a right to carry out further checks during the two-year period in order to monitor the progress of each individual student.

What is the entry test and how long does it take?

The admission test lasts about 30 minutes and is used by the Human Resources manager and the teacher to determine the starting level of each candidate. The interview is also used to better understand candidate's attitudes and motivations. Candidates who do not meet the requirements at the sole discretion of the School are deemed unfit. The interview is free and does not bind to registration. You can book one or more entry tests using the appropriate forms.

Should I have experience in the film/television industry to be accepted to RFA courses?

No. To be accepted to the RFA courses it is not necessary to have a technical/artistic training prior to the beginning of the two-year period because the training offer includes the literacy for each department.

Do I have to prepare some material to take to the entrance exam?

It is not necessary to produce any material, however, it is possible and recommended to bring any material already made (for ex. video clips, short stories, poems, photo portfolios, drawings, books, script extracts and the like). The materials must be brought in the USB media or a Mac-formatted hard disk; the teacher will choose what to view among the materials presented during the entrance test phase.

If I want to sign up for the acting course, do I have to go through an audition?

An individual entry test is required for the Acting course. The teacher can, at his discretion, request the reading of a text or ask some more specific questions to evaluate the starting level. However, the preparation of the specific material is not required.

Can I register directly for the second year?

For some courses, it is possible to enroll directly in the second year upon passing an admission exam.

What type of the motivational letter should I send before my entry test?

The motivational letter is a brief presentation that a candidate writes to explain why he has decided to propose himself for a certain academic course, what his objectives are, what motivates him to choose to apply to the Academy, from which experiences any part, what studies he has done, how many languages he speaks and why he feels he is suitable to be part of the course. The letter must consist of a single page, possibly in a "folder", or 1800 characters including spaces and should be saved in a PDF format. The following must always be inserted: place, date, personal data of the candidate, ie name, surname, telephone number and e-mail address; at the bottom of the page the consent to the processing of personal data updated with reference to Legislative Decree must be indicated. 196/2003.

Signing up

How do I register?

To enroll in the academic courses of the two-year period 2018/20 it is necessary to take an entrance test, which is free of charge and not binding upon enrollment. You can book the admission test using the form in one of the sessions indicated by the Roma Film Academy. It is not possible to take the entrance exam at other times of the year and each session has a different registration fee. After receiving the result of your test, if you are eligible, the Secretariat will let you know how to register.

How to register?

Registration is the payment of the fee necessary to confirm your place in the classroom and must be paid only in the first year following the successful communication of the admission test. The registration fee varies depending on the session to which you are enrolled and is non-refundable even if you do not intend to continue with the attendance to the course. After receiving the positive result of the admission test, it is possible to register both on-site and online, following the instructions provided by the Secretariat.

What are the dates and deadlines by which can I register?

Registration is open from April to September 2018. The fee to be paid varies depending on the session for which you register. Remember that if you take your entry test in May and you are eligible, you can also sign up later; however, you will have to pay the enrollment fee expected in that month. For registration requests that arrive from August onwards, the School reserves the right to set admission tests only for courses that still have available places.

At the end of the first year, am I automatically registered for the second?

At the end of the first year, the Secretariat sends out the forms necessary to request enrollment in the second year. The acceptance of the request depends on the path taken in the first year, the final assessments of the teachers and any disciplinary or administrative measures. The student, therefore, can decide to finish the course in the first year receiving only a certificate of attendance and without being required to pay the fee for the second year.

What happens once I am registered?

The Secretariat sends the registration forms to the students that have successfully passed the entrance exam. Once you have submitted the completed form, you are officially an RFA student. In order to perfect the practice, some documents should be sent, in the times and ways indicated by the Secretariat:

copy of the certification of the high school diploma;

2 passport size photos, one printed and one digital to be sent via e-mail;

revenue stamp worth € 2.00;

copy of the tax code;

certificate of sound and robust constitution (only for the course of Acting).

For foreign students we also require:

the certification of the issue of the study visa to be obtained at the Italian Embassy or Consulate of your country of residence.

How much does an RFA course cost?

The price of the courses is indicated directly on the specific course sheet.

Does the school have a maximum number of students per class?

Yup. Each year, the Academy defines a maximum number of students per class based on the candidates deemed suitable and the management of the production chain. In this way, all students are guaranteed high-profile training in terms of teaching, space, and equipment. The number of places available for enrollment in the first year and for the one in the second year is specified directly in the course sheet.

Academic path

During the two years, does the Academy allow me to do internships?

The indication of the School is that the students should dedicate themselves to the full frequency of courses and production activities during the two year period. In exceptional cases or for activities of particular importance, the Academy approves training/internship periods during the course, if considered in line with the training provided.

Can I reconcile my work with attendance at the Academy?

The Academy is an all-encompassing commitment: lectures, independent and group work sessions, preparation of monthly projects and special events, fill the day of the RFA student. It is possible to work in extracurricular times, however, any absences due to work reasons are not justified.

How does the Academy support me in entering the world of work?

RFA follows his students up to the diploma and continues to monitor them even later on. On the basis of the specific characteristics that the student has gained in the two-year period, the professionalism acquired and the merit of each student, the School indicates the profile to apply for productions and professional works. Direct entry into the professional circuit is no longer guaranteed if one of the technical or ethical parameters is not met at the judgment of the School.

Can I work for the Academy?

Yup. It often happens that a former student becomes a collaborator or assistant for educational or technical RFA segments. The professionalism, the merit, the reliability and the general curriculum of the ex-student are fundamental parameters in the choice of the collaboration.

What diploma do I receive at the end of the course?

The student who successfully completes the course of study indicated by the School obtains the Diploma of specialization. In case of abandonment of the course or suspension of the student from the lessons, only the certificates indicated in the Scholastic Regulations will be issued.

How can I become an "RFA Ambassador"?

The "Ambassadors" (or Ambassadors) are the ex-pupils who work within the school by proposing events or activities outside teaching and by tutoring students of the School. At the end of the course of study, you can send your application to the Secretary of Education to become an "Ambassador". If the Management believes you have all the requisites to represent the Academy, you can become an "Ambassador" and take advantages linked to this figure.

Can I participate in RFA activities even when I have finished my journey?

Yup. The Academy will keep your contact in the database to highlight initiatives, events and job opportunities depending on your qualification. Keep your contacts up-to-date by communicating your email and phone number to the secretariat.